Ann held Betty close, offering a few words of caution. "You finally escaped that man. Don''t let yourself get trapped again be careful with this."


    Betty patted her shoulder confidently. "Don''t worry. My time in the entertainment industry has given me a heart of stone."


    A heart of stone?


    Only a woman deeply wounded could develop such defenses.


    Ann stepped aside as Betty hurried downstairs toward Sky Gallery.


    This was the favorite haunt of all wealthy heirs in Silver Bay City. Nathan had be particrly prominent recently-after eliminating the White family, he had be their undisputed leader, controlling all their resources.


    He''d even formed an alliance with that madman from the Perez family. When two dangerous men joined forces, who would dare cross them?


    Everyone knew Nathan had been pursuing a female celebritytely-one with a questionable reputation who had risen to fame through provocative photos.


    Despite her role in a Hellywood film, that couldn''t disguise what many saw as an ambitious woman desperate for fame.


    It was bewildering how someone as distinguished as Nathan, who had never shown particr interest in any woman before, could fall for a celebrity surrounded by such negative publicity.


    Yet no one dared joke about this matter, and they only spoke of Nathan with deference.


    When Betty arrived at Sky Gallery, the doorman gave her a once-over.


    Betty had been making waves in entertainment circlestely-first because of that photograph with the male celebrity that caused such controversy, then fornding a role in a Hellywood production, instantly elevating her to A-list status.


    No one else would have dared take her path to fame, yet she had undeniably seeded.


    The male attendant''s gaze lingered on her figure. Though nothing explicit had been visible in that infamous photo, it had hinted at Betty''s enviable physique-something few men could resist.


    Betty had recently obtained a membership card for this establishment, but on previous visits, she had always been apanied. Tonight, she was alone.


    The attendant, judging her by appearance, let his eyes wander over her inappropriately. "Ms. Anderson, I''m afraid a membership card alone won''t grant you entry."


    Sky Gallery wasn''t simply a venue for the wealthy-it was exclusively for the elite and privileged. No paparazzi had ever managed to sneak photos from inside because no reporter could infiltrate such a ce.


    Betty smiled at him. "Then please inform Nathan I''m here to see him. I need to speak with him urgently."


    "Ms. Anderson, I apologize, but you should leave. Your current standing isn''t quite sufficient for ess to this establishment."


    Betty remained unruffled, ustomed to the entertainment industry''s hierarchy and its tendency to favor the powerful while dismissing others.


    She took out her phone, removed Nathan''s number from her blocked contacts list, and called him.


    Lost in the world of this story? Make sure you''re on Ne5s to catch every twist and turn. The next chapter awaits, exclusively on our site. Dive in now!


    Seeing her familiar number, Nathan thought he must be intoxicated-yet he''d barely touched his drink tonight.


    His expression changed instantly, prompting concerned inquiries from those nearby. "Mr. White, what''s wrong? Who''s upset you?"


    Nathan immediately stood up, ignoring the question, and walked to a quiet corridor to take the call. He answered, "Betty?"


    Betty calling him? Was he dreaming?


    "Nathan, I need a favor. Could we meet tonight? I''m outside Sky Gallery."


    "Outside? Why haven''t youe in?"


    "They won''t let me enter."


    She was simply stating a fact, but Nathan''s eyes filled with cold fury.


    Betty waited just one minute before witnessing the Sky Gallery manager emerge, fire


    the doorman on the spot, then approach her with utmost respect.


    He said in an especially polite tone, "Ms. Anderson, pleasee in."


    Lost in the world of this story? Make sure you''re on ?el5s to catch every twist and turn. The next chapter awaits, exclusively on our site. Dive in now! Betty said nothing. The situation was clearly the attendant''s fault-anyone with a membership card should be admitted freely, but the doorman had likely seen her controversial photos and thought he could take advantage. Instead, he''d lost his job. Clutching her purse, she nodded and followed the manager to a private room. The silence inside was palpable.


    Opening the door, she was surprised to see rose petals scattered across the floor. How Nathan had arranged this in just minutes was beyond her.


    Nathan sat waiting on the sofa.


    As Betty entered, something stirred within her certainly not something pleasant.


    A ruthless, dangerous man and a female celebrity with a tarnished reputation-if Nathan''s pursuit of her hadn''t bemon knowledge throughout their circles, numerous wealthy heirs would likely have tried to make her acquaintance.


    Most men didn''t care about a woman''s reputation, as long as she was disease-free and famous enough.


    Bedding such a woman gave them something to boast about in conversations.


    Such was human nature at its worst.


    Betty''s high heels moved forward elegantly, crushing the red rose petals beneath her feet.